Calendar: Rapp Happenings

The Rapp Happenings section lists events, generally in Rappahannock County, on a space-available basis. (The rappnews.com web site always lists all calendar items we receive.) If you your event absolutely must appear in the paper, on a certain date, please call Rappahannock News advertising consultant Patti Engle at 540-878-2417.

Listings must be received by 3 p.m. Monday for the following Thursday’s paper. Email to Jan@rappnews.com; please include a name and contact information we can publish.

March to April
The annual spring clean-up of Rappahannock County’s roadsides, streams and other unsightly spots is underway. For details, contact perennial clean-up coordinator Hunt Harris at 540-987-3366 or huntoldragon@earthlink.net; you can also call the county administrator’s office at 540-675-5330. Let’s all grab a bag and help keep Rappahannock County beautiful.

March to May
Parent/Child Group ongoing enrollment at Hearthstone is 8:45 to noon Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Choice of either day, or both days. Activities include storytelling, watercolor painting, beeswax sculpture, sewing, rhythmic movement and dance, snack time and more. Ages from 18 months to 6 years old, cost $5 per hour per child. Hearthstone also offers a Virginia State Licensed Nursery Program and Kindergarten Program. For more information: 540-987-9212.

Friday, March 18-28
The Middle Street Gallery, a non-profit artists’ cooperative, holds a juried exhibition of regional artists at the gallery in Washington. The Regional Showcase will feature the works of 13 artists from Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia and D.C., chosen by juror and artist Jane Livingston. Opening reception is 2 to 5 Saturday, March 6; prizes will be presented to three winning artists by Livingston at 4.

Thursday, March 18
Meeting of Rapp FLOW, 6:30 p.m. at The Link, Sperryville. Nat Gillespie, fisheries scientist and director of Eastern Lands Protection Project for Trout Unlimited, will be discussing trout habitat and methods for monitoring coldwater streams. If you are interested in water quality monitoring or want to learn about water quality issues in the Rappahannock County area, please join us. For details, call B.J. Valentine at 540-675-3949.

Saturday, March 20
The Rappahannock Derby, a fund-raiser for Panther sports brought to you by Nite at the Races and the Rappahannock County School Sports Association (RCSSA), at The Link, Sperryville. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.; post time is 7 p.m. A prelude to the spring racing season, the RCSSA’s event is worthy of Derby attire and, best of all, we do all the tailgate prep for you! Great food, beverages, and a whole lot of fun are waiting for you and your group of thoroughbred lovers. Even if you’re a novice at the track or point-to-point, a great time is guaranteed as races are video-fed from the country’s top tracks — place bets and collect winnings through a draw-down format. Losing bets are eligible for door prizes. Enter to win one of four grand prize raffles. Admission ($25 per person) includes buffet-style tailgate fare and beverages, or choose to be a Triple Crown Sponsor, Rail Sponsor or Race Sponsor. Must be at least 21 to attend. Details at www.RappSports.org. All proceeds benefit Panther athletics.

Thursday, March 18
Hospice of the Rapidan offers a free four-week Coping with Grief Winter Support Group on Thursdays, March 4 through March 25. The support groups meets from 2 to 3:30 p.m., at the Warrenton-Fauquier Visitor Center at 33 N. Calhoun St. in Warrenton. Reservations are appreciated but not necessary. Reservations and additional information are available from Craig Wilt at 540-825-4840.

Saturday, March 20
The RCHS Quiz Bowl Team’s second annual Community Quiz Bowl Tournament is 1 p.m. at the high school, benefitting the the team to pay for registration expenses for future tournaments. Teams interested in participating should contact David Naser at RCHS by Wednesday, March 17. The cost is $25 per team.

Saturday, March 20
The Sperryville Volunteer Fire Department All-You-Can-Eat Breakfast from 7 to 11 a.m., at the firehouse. Adults are $8, $5 for children ages 10 to 5 and under 5 eat free. Come out and enjoy a great breakfast. All proceeds to benefit the fire department. For more information call 540-987-987-8124. new

Saturday, March 20
Sperryville United Methodist Church will host a Blue Grass music night from 7-9 p.m. Come and enjoy an evening of music with Frank Riley and group also Country Troubadours from Culpeper. For more information call 540-987-8136. new

Sunday, March 21
Randolph Macon Academy’s Bell Choir will be at the Flint Hill Baptist Church for the 11 a.m., morning services . Public is invited. Refreshments and fellowship will follow the service.

Saturday, March 21
Sunday rehearsal dates for this year’s 4-H Share the Fun Talent Show at Rappahannock County Elementary School auditorium, all from 2 to 4 p.m. Anyone 5 to 18 may participate, for free, in the program: Sing, dance, juggle, tell jokes or perform another act on stage. All acts must be 4-H appropriate (G-rated) and last less than four minutes. Up to four people may be in one act. Call the Cooperative Extension office at 540-675-3619 to register, or register at the first rehearsal March 6. All participants should have a parent or guardian with them at each rehearsal. The show is 2 to 4 Sunday, March 28 at the RCES auditorium.

Sunday, March 21
Shiloh Baptist Church, Woodville will have its Annual Cemetery Fund Drive. Immediately following the morning service ,lunch will be served. We will have the Spiritual Harmonizers for our musical guest for the 3 p.m., service. Public is welcome to attend. new

Thursday, March 25
Meeting of the Aging Together Rappahannock Team at the Rappahannock Library, Washington, 1 p.m. All are welcome to join a committed, enthusiastic team of Rappahannock citizens sharing ideas and working to improve services for ourselves and our neighbors. For details, contact Aging Together county resource specialist Larry Stillwell at 540-675-2531 or lstillwell@agingtogether.org.

Thursday, March 25
Rappahannock County Elementary School, Parent Open House for interested transfer students and incoming kindergarten students, at 10 a.m., includes overview, tour and light refreshments. Classroom visits can be scheduled on request for grades 1-7; kindergarten visits will be available during registration in May. RSVP to RCES office at 540-987-8259.

Saturday, March 27
Annual auction and wine tasting hosted by the Mountain Laurel Montessori School at the Phillip Carter Winery in Hume, Va. All proceeds from the auction benefit the school. Event tickets are $25 at the door, $20 in advance. The evening features a silent auction and wines from Phillip Carter Winery. Enjoy hors d’oeuvres and award-winning wines while bidding on services, travel packages (including a Broadway theater weekend and Florida and South Carolina beach weeks), gift baskets and other unique items. Bidding starts at 7 p.m. MLMS is currently soliciting donations of auction items. To donate items or to purchase advanced discounted admission to the event, e-mail MLM123@earthlink.net or call 540-636-4257. Additional updates about auction items and artists can be found at www.MountainLaurelMontessori.org.

Saturday, March 27
Open registration for the Miss Rappahannock pageant is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Sperryville Volunteer Rescue
Squad. For details contact Deanna Wayland at 540-987-8366 or deannaleigh8@msn.com.

Saturday, March 27
Flint Hill Volunteer Fire Department is selling raffle tickets for an 887 Remington shotgun and a 22 Rueger deluxe long rifle. Tickets are $5 each, first ticket winner gets first choice of gun. Guns will be raffled at 8 p.m. following a fund-raiser chicken dinner at the Flint Hill Fire Department. Dinner is 5 to 8 p.m. for $10 per plate ($5 ages 10 and younger). Buy tickets from fire company members or call 540-675-3286.

Saturday, March 27
Love and Faithfullness Church will hold a hymn sing 7 p.m. The music will be presented by Evangelist David Clanagan and Free Spirit, Evangelist Randy Thompson and special guest will be a new group called Atonement. The church is located at 321 south royal ave. Front Royal,Va. All are welcome. For more information call 540-987-8937. new

Saturday, March 27
Chester Gap Volunteer Fire & Rescue invites everyone to its 50th anniversary covered-dish dinner. Please bring a covered dish to share. Chicken, ham and beverages will be provided. Come see our scrapbook of pictures from our founding till now. Charter and lifetime members and past officers will be recognized and honored, and awards for 2009 will be presented! Social hour at 5, dinner at 6. Contact Stephanie Crawford at 540-635-5091. Donations welcome.

Saturday, March 27
Spring Ball at The Link in Sperryville at 7:30 p.m. Sponsored by the Rappahannock Non-Profit Center. Come join the Gourdvine String Band and caller DeLaura Padovan for a night of contra dancing. Beginners welcome. Admission is $10, kids 11 and younger free. Call Kendra Hendren at 540-937-7818 or The Link at 540-987-9750.

Sunday, March 27
Easter Cantata will be celebrated at the Wayland Blue Ridge Baptist Center, 15044 Ryland Chapel Rd., Rixeyville sponsored by the Young Adult Ministry. The Workshop Choir will be under the direction of Missy “Octavia” Lewis Yates and psalmist Eric Armstead. Rehearsals for the workshop choir are March 19, 20 and 26. All voices are welcome including the youth division. Workshop fee is $6 adults; there is no fee for student participants. There is no fee for the Cantata on March 27; a free-will offering will be taken. For more information on the workshop or the service, call 540-547-3969 or Nan Butler Roberts at 540-661-2013.

Sunday, March 28
The Promise Lane Baptist Church, Washington will be having a service of Recognition for the two oldest members of the church, Sister Margaret Poles and Mother Mildred Butler at 3 p.m. Former pastor, Rev. John R. Pendleton will be the preacher. new

Wednesday, March 31
The sixth annual Artists of Rappahannock Studio & Gallery Tour, sponsored by RAAC, will be held Nov. 6-7. March 31 is the deadline for all artists, returning open-studio hosts and others, to contact Robert Ballard at 540-675-1411 (email robert@rhballard.com) or Joanne Hilty at 540-675-2205 (email johilty@hughes.net). Galleries participating last year should call or email as well. Prospective open studio artists will be scheduled for visits April 5-16. Watch the newspaper, Rappnet and rappvoice.com for more information.

Thursday, April 1
Easter Sunday celebration at Little Fork Episcopal Church, Rixeyville, begins with the Maundy service, which is the traditional foot-washing ceremony at 7:30 p.m., in the church. Two programs of Stations of the Cross will take place on Good Friday, April 2. The children will observe Good Friday with a special Stations service written especially for them, starting at noon in the church sanctuary (16461 Oak Shade Rd., Rixeyville). The traditional Good Friday and Stations of the Cross program will begin at 7:30 p.m. On April 4 the Easter Sunday celebration will begin with a contemporary Eucharist service at 8:30 a.m. followed by an Easter egg hunt on the church grounds. Children are reminded to bring their own baskets for collecting eggs. At 11 a.m. the congregation will celebrate the risen Christ with the traditional Holy Eucharist. Coffee and other refreshments will be served in the Parish Hall following each worship service. For more information and directions, call the church office at 937-4306 or visit www.littleforkchurch.net.

Saturday, April 3

Glassworks Gallery and Oldway Art Center open house is 1 to 5 p.m. Meet many of the local artists we represent; the majority of the work at Glassworks Gallery is by Rappahannock artists and many will be on hand to explain what they do and answer questions. Our 27 artists average over 20 years experience at their disciplines and the work they produce is of the highest quality. Among the artists on hand will be glassblower Eric Kvarnes, stained glass artists Patti Brennan and Melanie Winslow, woodworker Michael Saulnier, sculptor Charles Flickinger, photographer Steve Schultz, metal sculptor Steve Berry and more. More details at 540-987-8474 or blowglass@oldway.net.

Wednesday, April 7
Rappahannock Free Clinic from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Rappahannock County Health Department, Main Street, Washington. Also open April 21. Call the Fauquier Free Clinic at 540-347-0394. Pre-registration is now possible for upcoming clinics. You may call the Fauquier Free Clinic at 540-347-0394 between 11-4 p.m., on Tuesday to pre-register for the Rappahannock clinic on Wednesday.

Sunday, April 11
Miss Rappahannock pageant registration and rehearsal to be held at the Rappahannock County Elementary School.
Registration at 1 p.m., rehearsal at 2. All contestants are encouraged to attend the rehearsal. Contact Deanna Wayland at 540-987-8366 or deannaleigh8@msn.com.

Thursday, April 15
The United Daughters of the Confederacy, Culpeper Chapter #73, deadline for any student of Rappahannock County (public, private or home schooled students) wishing to participate in the chapter’s 2010 essay contest. Rules and essay topics may be found at Rappahannock County Public Schools, Wakefield Country Day School in Flint Hill, Hearthstone School in Sperryville and at the Rappahannock County Public Library. Essays due April 15. Contact Cheryl Taylor at 540-987-8026 or tgtcllc@copper.net with questions.

Saturday, April 17
Miss Rappahannock pageant is 3 p.m. at Rappahannock County Elementary School. Raffle drawing, bake sale, live auction and plenty of food. Please come out and support the contestants as well as the Sperryville Volunteer Rescue Squad. Contact Deanna Wayland at 540-987-8366 or deannaleigh8@msn.com.

Saturday, April 24
An Across the Years Reunion for graduates of Rappahannock County High School from the 1960s through the 2000s, and teachers past and present, is 7 p.m. at The Link community center in Sperryville. Heavy hors d’oeuvres catered by the Thornton River Grill and deejay are included in the $30 per person admission, plus a cash bar. Register and pay for admission online at www.rappalumni.org or RSVP by April 17 by sending a check payable to Rappahannock Alumni Association, c/o Karen Sanborn, 15 Apple Blossom Lane, Sperryille, VA 22740.

Saturday, May 1
The Scrabble School Preservation Foundation and the Rappahannock Senior Center at Scrabble School holds an open house for school alumni and the public from 1 to 3 p.m. Free event to thank the community for its support of the Scrabble School project over the past several years and to unveil the Rappahannock African-American Heritage Center at the grand opening of this newest point of interest in the county. A program, light refreshments and conversation are highlights of the event. Contact Bob Lander (kplander@aol.com) or Darcy Canton at 540-987-3638.

Wednesday, Aug. 18-21
Flint Hill Volunteer Fire Department is seeking young ladies (ages one to 21) and young men (ages one to eight) to participate in its annual carnival. Contestants will be selling raffle tickets on a 2010 Ford Ranger pickup truck. For more information call Karen Williams at 540-635-4673.

Thursday, Sept. 30
Skyline CAP Head Start, at Rappahannock County Elementary School, is a preschool program for 3- to 5-year-old children. Applications for the 2010-2011 school year are now being accepted. Children must have turned at least 3 years of age by Sept. 30. Children with special needs are encouraged to apply. Skyline CAP Head Start is a free program for income eligible families and works closely with the public school system to help insure adequate preparation for a smooth transition into kindergarten. The only cost to the parents is a small amount of time each month. For more information, please call Becky Thorpe at 540-987-8817.

In-Depth Reporting

Community support for the nonprofit, nonpartisan Foothills Forum provides research and reporting about Rappahannock County matters, in collaboration with the Rappahannock News. Here's our work so far...

This Week’s E-Edition

All news, no paper

For the current week's full Rappahannock News  usually available by 9 p.m. Wednesdays  check out our E-Edition, where you can sign up for your free four-week, no-strings, no-credit-card trial subscription!